‘Factionalism brought incompetent people to leadership’: Former insider explains ANC Joburg ‘collapse’

Sipho Masigo, a former high-ranking member of the African National Congress (ANC) in Johannesburg, has shed light on the party's internal strife and the decline of its leadership in the city. Masigo, who served as the ANC's media specialist for over a decade, left the party just weeks before the local government elections due to the factionalism and poor leadership within the ANC.

Masigo explained that the infighting within the party was too much to handle and that the quality of leadership in Johannesburg had deteriorated. He alleged that weak individuals were elected to positions of power, with factionalism being the main reason for his decision to leave the ANC. The former insider believes that the constant jockeying for positions has taken precedence over the needs of the residents.

The ANC's failure to address the city's issues has led to a lack of oversight, with the Auditor General regularly criticizing the city's leadership for poor service delivery, wasteful expenditure, and corruption. Masigo predicts that the ANC will struggle to maintain its support in Johannesburg, possibly only securing less than 25% of the vote. The party's survival, he believes, will depend on forming coalitions in the city.

The ANC's regional secretary in Johannesburg, Sasa Manganye, responded to Masigo's claims, stating that they should be considered in context. Manganye emphasized that Masigo was entitled to express his views but urged for factual, fair, and verifiable information in public commentary on political organizations. He also noted that the ANC provided Masigo with an opportunity to join its Communications team, and any concerns should be addressed directly with relevant context.